Home area networking (HAN) with low power considerations for battery devices
First Claim
1. A method for providing utility meter network communications, comprising:
- providing a plurality of individually addressable AC powered utility meters of a first type as network nodes;
providing a plurality of individually addressable battery powered utility meters of a second type as network nodes;
associating a memory device with selected of the first type of utility meters;
configuring a portion of the memory device to serve as an associated mailbox for a selected one of the second type of utility meters to store any messages directed to an address of the selected one of the second type of utility meters;
constructing a node path for a message transmission addressed to the selected one of the second type of utility meters via its associated mailbox; and
broadcasting a message in accordance with the node path,wherein the selected one of the second type of utility meters is configured to check its associated mailbox maintained by the selected of the first type of utility meters for the message.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for providing communications to battery powered metrology devices within an Advanced Metering System (AMS). The battery powered metrology devices may be associated with AC supplied devices that are configured with mailboxes for their associated battery powered devices. The battery powered metrology devices may include such as water and gas meters collocated with electricity meters. Communications between the battery powered devices and their associated mailbox containing electricity meters may be by way of direct wired or radio frequency connections for providing reliable message transport between communications system coupled components in an Advanced Metering System.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for providing utility meter network communications, comprising:
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providing a plurality of individually addressable AC powered utility meters of a first type as network nodes; providing a plurality of individually addressable battery powered utility meters of a second type as network nodes; associating a memory device with selected of the first type of utility meters; configuring a portion of the memory device to serve as an associated mailbox for a selected one of the second type of utility meters to store any messages directed to an address of the selected one of the second type of utility meters; constructing a node path for a message transmission addressed to the selected one of the second type of utility meters via its associated mailbox; and broadcasting a message in accordance with the node path, wherein the selected one of the second type of utility meters is configured to check its associated mailbox maintained by the selected of the first type of utility meters for the message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A utility meter network, comprising:
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a plurality of individually addressable AC powered utility meters of a first type configured as nodes on said network; a plurality of individually addressable battery powered utility meters of a second type configured as nodes on said network; a memory device, associated with selected of said first type of utility meters, and with a portion of said memory device configured to serve as an associated mailbox for a selected one of said second type of utility meters to store any messages directed to an address of the selected one of the second type of utility meters; a collection engine associated with said network and configured to transmit messages to said nodes on said network; and a protocol stack associated with said network and configured to construct a node path for a message transmission addressed to the selected one of the second type of utility meters via its associated mailbox, wherein the selected one of the second type of utility meters is configured to check its associated mailbox maintained by the selected of the first type of utility meters for the message transmission. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for providing home area networking with low power considerations for battery supported devices associated with utility meter network communications, for providing reliable message transport between communications system coupled components in an advanced metering system including a plurality of types of consumption monitoring devices, comprising:
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providing a plurality of individually addressable AC powered electricity meters of a first type as network nodes; providing a plurality of individually addressable battery powered meters of a second type as network nodes, with such plurality of individually addressable battery powered meters selected from the group consisting of water meters, gas meters, and oil meters; associating a memory device with selected of the first type of meters; configuring a portion of the memory device to serve as an associated mailbox for a selected one of the second type of meters to store any messages directed to an address of the selected one of the second type of meters; providing a communications network operating on an open meter communications protocol, and having a collection engine capable of integrating Radio, PLC, and IP connected meters, and operative for preconstructing a node path for a message transmission addressed to the selected one of the second type of meters via its associated mailbox using different low level network transport layers using common interfaces; and broadcasting a message in accordance with the preconstructed node path; wherein a wake up cycle of the battery powered meters is controlled in order to conserve battery power thereof; and wherein the selected one of the second type of meters is configured to check its associated mailbox maintained by the selected of the first type of meters for the message upon waking up. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A meter network with low power considerations for battery supported devices associated with utility meter network communications, for providing reliable message transport between communications system coupled components in an advanced metering system including a plurality of types of consumption monitoring devices, comprising:
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a plurality of individually addressable AC powered electricity meters of a first type configured as nodes on said network; a plurality of individually addressable battery powered meters of a second type configured as nodes on said network, with such plurality of individually addressable battery powered meters selected from the group consisting of water meters, gas meters, and oil meters; a memory device, associated with selected of said first type of meters, and with a portion of said memory device configured to serve as an associated mailbox for a selected one of said second type of meters to store any messages directed to an address of the selected one of the second type of meters; and a collection engine capable of integrating Radio, PLC, and IP connected meters, and configured to transmit messages to said nodes on said network, and associated with a protocol stack operative for preconstructing a node path for a message transmission addressed to the selected one of the second type of meters via its associated mailbox using different low level network transport layers using common interfaces, and for broadcasting a message in accordance with such preconstructed node path; wherein said battery powered meters of the second type are further configured for operation per a controlled wake up cycle in order to conserve battery power thereof; and wherein the selected one of the second type of meters is configured to check its associated mailbox maintained by the selected of the first type of meters for the message upon waking up. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification