Advanced metering infrastructure installation auditing

• US 8,248,269 B1
• Filed: 07/16/2009
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc. (Southern Company)
• Original Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc. (Southern Company)
• Inventors: Boyd, David W., Bell, Anthony S., Rhoades, Derl
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeanglaude, Jean B
• Application Number:
  US12/460,263
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.03, 340/870.02, 340/310.01, 705/412, 705/418
• US Class Current: 340/870.03
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A method, system, and computer readable storage medium for auditing the installation of smart meters via a computer system. The method includes receiving a plurality of installation data for each smart meter installed; loading the plurality of installation data into an auditing utility operating on the computer system based on auditing criteria; performing an audit for each smart meter installed via the auditing utility; submitting the audit for each smart meter installed for recording in an audits database; verifying the audit for each smart meter installed; and generating and analyzing audit reports stored in the audits database.

Claims

1. A method for auditing installation of smart meters at a plurality of customer locations using a computer system, comprising:

receiving from a handheld electronic device a plurality of installation data entered into a change meter automation application for each smart meter installed, the plurality of installation data including identification of a meter being removed from a customer location, a plurality of readings from the meter being removed, identification of a smart meter being installed, identification of a smart meter radio identifier, and an indication that the smart meter radio operation has been verified as part of the installation procedure;

loading the plurality of installation data into an auditing utility operating on the computer system based on auditing criteria;

performing an audit for each smart meter installed via the auditing utility;

submitting the audit for each smart meter installed for recording in an audits database;

verifying the audit for each smart meter installed; and

generating and analyzing an audit report stored in the audits database.

2. The method for auditing installation of smart meters of claim 1 wherein the installation audit examines at least one of the following:

a meter sealing, a condition of the meter location, an accuracy of meter global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, a transformer number, a surge protector removal, a meter socket repair, a meter radio identification, and a radio binding test.

3. The method for auditing installation of smart meters of claim 1 wherein the auditing criteria for loading the plurality of installation data include installations loaded by one of the following:

an installation type, an individual performing installations, and an installation location.

4. The method for auditing installation of smart meters of claim 1 wherein identification of a meter to being removed comprises receiving change meter installation input file, verifying a location address and a number of the meter to remove, verifying that the meter to remove is in a safe condition, and verifying a seal type of the meter to remove.

5. The method for auditing installation of smart meters of claim 1 further comprising inputting a meter transformer information, and reviewing and submitting a change meter order.

6. The method for auditing installation of smart meters of claim 5 wherein inputting meter transformer information comprises entering a transformer station identifier and global positioning coordinates for the smart meter.

7. The method for auditing installation of smart meters of claim 1 wherein inputting a plurality of readings for the meter to be removed comprises entering kilowatt hours and demand readings into the change meter automation application on the handheld device.

8. The method for auditing installation of smart meters of claim 7 further comprising performing a high/low test on the handheld device to confirm the entered readings.

9. The method for auditing installation of smart meters of claim 1 wherein inputting a smart meter number and a meter radio identifier comprises scanning a bar code on the smart meter to capture the smart meter number and smart meter radio identifier.

10. The method for auditing installation of smart meters of claim 1 wherein verifying operation of the meter radio comprises at least one of detection of the smart meter, detection of a smart meter radio signal strength, and retrieval of global positioning system coordinates for the smart meter.

11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium for controlling the auditing of smart meter installations when the non-transitory computer readable storage medium is executed on a computer system, comprising:

program instructions that receive from a handheld electronic device a plurality of installation data entered into a change meter automation application for each smart meter installed, the plurality of installation data including identification of a meter being removed from a customer location, a plurality of readings from the meter being removed, identification of a smart meter being installed, identification of a smart meter radio identifier, and an indication that the smart meter radio operation has been verified as part of the installation procedure;

program instructions that load the plurality of installation data into an auditing utility operating on the computer system based on auditing criteria;

program instructions that record an audit for each smart meter installed;

program instructions that submit the audit for each smart meter installed for recording in an audits database;

program instructions that verify the audit for each smart meter installed; and

program instructions that generate and analyze an audit report stored in the audits database.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 wherein the program instructions for entering a smart meter number and a smart meter radio identifier comprise program instructions that capture a bar code scan on the smart meter identifying the smart meter number and smart meter radio identifier.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 wherein the program instructions for identification of a meter being removed from a customer location comprise program instructions for receiving a change meter installation input file, program instructions for verifying a location address and a number of the meter to remove, program instructions for verifying that the meter to remove is in a safe condition, and program instructions verifying a seal type of the meter to remove.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 further comprising program instructions for entering a change meter transformer information, and program instructions for reviewing and submitting a change meter order.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein the program instructions for entering a meter transformer information comprise program instructions for entering a transformer station identifier and a global positioning coordinates for the smart meter.

16. A system for auditing installation of smart meters, comprising:

a memory including a database for storing a plurality of information pertaining to smart meter installation;

at least one computer processor coupled to the memory for executing a plurality of software components stored in the memory, including;

a component for receiving from a handheld electronic device a plurality of installation data entered into a change meter automation application for each smart meter installed, the plurality of installation data including identification of a meter being removed from a customer location, a plurality of readings from the meter being removed, identification of a smart meter being installed, identification of a smart meter radio identifier, and an indication that the smart meter radio operation has been verified as part of the installation procedure;

a component for loading the plurality of installation data into an auditing utility operating on the computer system based on auditing criteria;

a component for recording an audit for each smart meter installed via the auditing utility;

a component for submitting the audit for each smart meter installed for recording in an audits database;

a component for verifying the audit for each smart meter installed; and

a component for generating and analyzing an audit report stored in the audits database.

17. The system for auditing installation of smart meters of claim 16 further comprising a component for enabling input of a meter transformer information, and a component for enabling review and submission of a change meter order.