Smart meter trust center switch
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a computer processor configured to;
execute a subset of functions of a smart meter in a home area network (HAN);
wherein the computer processor is configured to be coupled to and communicate with the smart meter, and to communicate with an electric utility advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and advanced meter reading (AMR) network;
wherein the subset of functions of the smart meter comprises coordinating the HAN, storing HAN information, storing one or more security keys, authenticating devices for the HAN, associating devices in the HAN with the smart meter of the HAN, storing device profile information, handling software upgrades, and storing sensed data;
wherein the computer processor comprises a centralized processor configured to be coupled to and communicate with a plurality of smart meters; and
wherein the computer processor is coupled to and is configured to communicate with a retail electric provider (REP), and wherein the REP comprises a second computer processor that is configured to execute a subset of functions of the smart meter in the HAN.
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a smart meter trust center switch. The switch includes a computer processor that is configured to execute a subset of functions of a smart meter in a home area network (HAN). The computer processor is also configured to be coupled to and communicate with the smart meter and an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and advanced meter reading (AMR) network.
23 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a computer processor configured to;
execute a subset of functions of a smart meter in a home area network (HAN);wherein the computer processor is configured to be coupled to and communicate with the smart meter, and to communicate with an electric utility advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and advanced meter reading (AMR) network; wherein the subset of functions of the smart meter comprises coordinating the HAN, storing HAN information, storing one or more security keys, authenticating devices for the HAN, associating devices in the HAN with the smart meter of the HAN, storing device profile information, handling software upgrades, and storing sensed data; wherein the computer processor comprises a centralized processor configured to be coupled to and communicate with a plurality of smart meters; and wherein the computer processor is coupled to and is configured to communicate with a retail electric provider (REP), and wherein the REP comprises a second computer processor that is configured to execute a subset of functions of the smart meter in the HAN. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A process comprising:
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providing a computer processor to communicate with a smart meter in a home area network (HAN) and to communicate with an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and advanced meter reading (AMR) network; and
executing in the computer processor a subset of functions of the smart meter;wherein the subset of functions of the smart meter comprises coordinating the HAN, storing HAN information, storing one or more security keys, authenticating devices for the HAN, associating devices in the HAN with the smart meter of the HAN, storing device profile information, handling software upgrades, and storing sensed data; and wherein the computer processor is coupled to and is configured to communicate with a retail electric provider (REP), and wherein the REP comprises a second computer processor that is configured to execute a subset of functions of the smart meter in the HAN. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A process comprising:
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providing a first computer processor to communicate with a smart meter in a home area network (HAN) and to communicate with an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and advanced meter reading (AMR) network via an AMI/AMR link; executing in the first computer processor a subset of functions of the smart meter; and
providing a second computer processor, wherein the second computer processor receives firmware from the first computer processor, the firmware configured for operating the second computer processor;wherein the first computer processor is configured to download utility configurations to the second computer processor, the utility configurations comprising one or more of a security credential, a unique identifier, and utility program enrollment information; wherein the subset of functions of the smart meter comprises coordinating the HAN, storing HAN information, storing one or more security keys, authenticating devices for the HAN, associating devices in the HAN with the smart meter of the HAN, storing device profile information, handling software upgrades, and storing sensed data; and wherein the first computer processor is coupled to and is configured to communicate with a retail electric provider (REP), and wherein the REP comprises a second computer processor that is configured to execute a subset of functions of the smart meter in the HAN. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification