ENDPOINT CLASSIFICATION AND COMMAND PROCESSING

• US 20100265095A1
• Filed: 04/20/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Cahill-O'Brien, Barry, Johnson, Matthew, Cornwall, Mark
• Application Number:
  US12/362,457
• Publication Number:
  US 20100265095A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.20
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

Packet formats and related infrastructure for improved messaging and processing of commands in an AMR system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for identifying the features of an endpoint based on data encoded in a standard meter reading is provided. In this regard, the method includes receiving a standard meter reading having an endpoint type and subtype classification, wherein the subtype classification corresponds to a feature of the endpoint that may be re-configured. Once received, the standard metering reading is decoded. Then, the method identifies the classification of the endpoint with regard to type and subtype and determines whether the endpoint is capable of implementing a particular command.

Claims

1. A method of identifying the features of an endpoint based on data encoded in a standard meter reading, the method comprising:

receiving a standard meter reading having an endpoint type and subtype classification, the subtype classification corresponding to a capability of the endpoint that may be re-configured;

decoding the standard metering reading; and

identifying a type and subtype classification of the endpoint to determine whether the endpoint is capable of implementing an issued command.

2. A packet creation interface that implements a method operative to collect packet data for transmission from an endpoint in a standard meter reading, the method comprising:

receiving an interface call having parameters that identify a current consumption value and a pointer referencing a buffer memory space for temporary storage of packet data;

accepting an existing buffer memory space having a protocol ID value corresponding to a process for decoding the packet and a type/subtype value for classifying on or more features of the endpoint;

retrieving one or more data items for temporary storage in the buffer memory space, the one or more data items including serial number that uniquely identifies the endpoint; and

returning the pointer to the buffer memory space.