Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120201145 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING INVALID NODES WITHIN A MESH NETWORK - Systems, methods, and apparatus for identifying, invalid nodes within a mesh network are provided. A routing table may he maintained by a utility meter. The routing table may include information associated with one or more devices in communication with the utility meter via a mesh network. A change in the routing table may be identified by the utility meter, and an alert message associated with the identified change may be generated by the utility meter. The generated alert may then be output by the utility meter for communication to a central controller configured to process the alert message to identify an invalid node within the mesh network. | 08-09-2012 |
20120206274 | SYSTEM FOR SENDING UTILITY METER ALERTS - Systems for sending utility meter alerts in response to a predetermined threshold condition being met at the utility meter are disclosed. In one embodiment, the utility meter has a communications stack embedded therein, and the communications stack is configured to send an alert through a network in response to a predetermined threshold being met. In another embodiment, a server is communicatively connected to a utility meter, and the server is configured to send an alert through a network in response to a predetermined threshold being met at the utility meter. In either embodiment, the alert can comprise an email, a Short Message Service (SMS), a voice alert, or an instant message. Examples of predetermined threshold conditions that could trigger an alert include total energy consumption, peak energy consumption or total currency, e.g., dollars, spent at the location of the utility meter for a set consumption period. | 08-16-2012 |
20120207028 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE ERROR THRESHOLDS OR ADAPTIVE MODULATION SCHEMES BASED ON ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS - Systems and methods may be provided for adaptive communications with utility meters based on atmospheric conditions. The systems and methods may include obtaining weather information associated with a location of a utility meter; determining, based upon the weather information, whether the utility meter location is associated with weather that affects communications performance; and modifying an acceptable communications error rate associated with the utility meter or the communications interface of the utility meter from a first value to a second value upon determining that the utility meter location is associated with weather that affects communications performance. One or more of the foregoing operations may be performed by a utility meter or a utility server computer associated with the utility meter. | 08-16-2012 |
20120207056 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF WIRELESS ENABLED DEVICE CONFIGURATION OVER AN ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE (AMI) - Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems for configuring a wireless-enabled device over an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network. In accordance with one aspect, a method is provided comprising receiving, from a first device via a first network, information about one or more wireless access points accessible by the first device. The method further comprises receiving, from a second device via a second network, configuration information for the first device for configuring the first device to connect to a wireless network through one of the one or more wireless access points; and configuring the first device using the configuration information. In one aspect, configuring the first device includes sending at least a portion of the configuration information to the first device via the first network. | 08-16-2012 |
20120207179 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR UTILITY METERS OR OTHER DEVICES WITH COMMUNICATIONS PRIORITIZATION - Methods and apparatuses may be provided for utility meters or other devices with communications prioritization. The methods and apparatuses may include receiving first information addressed to or from a first network device of the one or more network devices; determining that the first network device is either (i) battery-powered or associated with a limited power source, or (ii) associated with wireless communications; and based upon the determination that the first home device is either (i) battery-powered or associated with a limited power source, or (ii) associated with wireless communications, identifying the first information as higher priority. The identification of the first information as higher priority may result in the utility meter or other device processing of the first information ahead of one or more second information designated as lower priority. | 08-16-2012 |
20120209442 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MANAGING PEAK LOADS FOR A CUSTOMER LOCATION - Methods and apparatuses may be provided for managing peak loads for a customer location. The methods and apparatuses may include receiving an allocation request from at least a first home device of the one or more home devices, the allocation request requesting a power allocation amount by the first home device; determining a current remaining power budget amount of a total power budget amount; determining an extent to which the allocation request can be satisfied based at least in part upon a comparison of the requested power allocation amount by the current remaining power budget amount; and delivering a response to the first home device, the response indicating the extent to which the first home device is permitted to access the requested power allocation. | 08-16-2012 |
20120218120 | METER PROCESSING COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Systems for supporting communication between networks are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a meter processing communication system includes: a utility meter; and a central processor integrated with the utility meter, the central processor including a single communications stack, the single communications stack and central processor being configured to process communications between a plurality of different networks. | 08-30-2012 |
20120229296 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR REDUCING NETWORK CONGESTION IN A SMART UTILITY METER SYSTEM - Systems, methods, and apparatuses for reducing network congestion in a smart utility meter system are provided. The systems, methods, and apparatuses may include providing, for a utility meter, a first communications interface for communicating with a first network; providing, for the utility meter, a second communications interface for communicating with a second network different from the first network; receiving or generating, by the utility meter, information having a destination; selecting either the first communications interface or the second communications interface; and delivering the information to the destination via the selected communications interface. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229297 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR DETERMINING POWER USAGE WITH A METER - Systems, methods, and apparatuses may be provided for determining power usage within a meter. The systems, methods, and apparatuses may include providing, for a utility meter, at least one communications interface for communicating with a home area network (HAN); receiving or transmitting, via the at least one communications interface of the utility meter, information having a source or destination associated with the home area network (HAN); determining, by the utility meter, that the information is attributable to activity chargeable to a customer associated with the home area network (HAN); and updating, by the utility meter, a customer usage amount based upon the determination that the information is attributable to the activity chargeable to the customer. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229298 | HOME OCCUPANCY DETECTION SWITCHES - Disclosed are methodologies for enabling energy conservation in a home. Occupancy by an entity of the home may be detected and used by a utility meter associated with the home to control and/or adjust operation of energy consuming devices based, at least in part, on the occupancy state of the home. Occupancy detection is based on signals received from devices generally associated with those entities that may from time to time occupy the home. In selected embodiments, detection of a Bluetooth or RFID device associated with a home occupant including items such as key chains, work ID cards, Bluetooth enable equipment such as cell phones and audio equipment or infrared signals from presence detectors may be used to provide indications of home occupancy. | 09-13-2012 |
20120242498 | USER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT DEVICE IN ELECTRONIC UTILITY METER - An electronic utility meter including a metering circuit; a switch operatively coupled to the metering circuit for switching the metering circuit between different states; a cover enclosing the metering circuit and switch; a sensor enclosed within the cover coupled to the switch, the sensor configured to change a state of the switch in response to a user interaction with the cover. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242499 | NETWORK INTERFACE CONTROLLER FOR A UTILITY METER - Systems and devices are disclosed for enabling communication by and between meters and networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device includes: a network interface controller configured to be directly coupled to a meter socket and provide a communication path between a utility meter and at least one network, the network interface controller including: a computing device; and at least one communications interface coupled to the computing device, the at least one communications interface configured to be physically located within a meter socket housing. | 09-27-2012 |
20120243421 | POWER LOSS PACKET PRIORITY - An advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) enabled device, program product and communication system. An AMI enabled device is described that includes a power failure detection system that constructs a power loss message in response to a detected loss of power and a communication system for transmitting messages over a network. The communications system includes: a prioritization system for prioritizing the power loss message as a high priority message, and a queuing system that ensures that the power loss message is transmitted ahead of all low priority messages. | 09-27-2012 |
20120268245 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTHORIZING THE CHARGING OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE'S BATTERIES FROM A CENTRAL LOCATION BASED ON BIOMETRIC IDENTITY INFORMATION - Embodiments of the invention described herein use biometric information for authorizing charging an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using one of a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) that are operably connected with a master station. In one aspect, a method of authorizing charging an EV's batteries using an EVCS is described. This embodiment of a method comprises storing, in a database, biometric identity information for one or more individuals; receiving, from a biometric information input device located in a master station, input biometric identity information for a user; wherein the biometric information input device is associated with a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs); searching the database, using a processor, for biometric identity information for the one or more individuals that substantially match the input biometric identity information for the user; and authorizing the user to charge an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using the EVCS using one of the plurality of EVCS if the input biometric identity information for the user substantially matches biometric identity information for at least one of the one or more individuals in the database. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268247 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTHORIZING THE CHARGING OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE'S BATTERIES BASED ON BIOMETRIC IDENTITY INFORMATION - Embodiments of the invention described herein use biometric information for authorizing charging an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS). In one aspect, a method of authorizing charging an EV's batteries using an EVCS is described. This embodiment of a method comprises storing, in a database, biometric identity information for one or more individuals; receiving, from a biometric information input device associated with an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS), input biometric identity information for a user; searching the database, using a processor, for biometric identity information for the one or more individuals that substantially match the input biometric identity information for the user; and authorizing the user to charge an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using the EVCS if the input biometric identity information for the user substantially matches biometric identity information for at least one of the one or more individuals in the database. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268291 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING DATA IN AN ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE - A system for transmitting data in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is provided. The system includes an AMI network configured to communicate by transmitting data via a plurality of physical communication media that include at least a first physical communication medium and a second physical communication medium, and a plurality of meters. Each of the plurality of meters are configured to select a physical communication medium from the first physical communication medium and the second physical communication medium based at least in part on an operational state of the first physical communication medium and an operational state of the second physical communication medium, and communicate with the AMI network via the selected physical communication medium. | 10-25-2012 |
20120274287 | CHARGING SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND METHODS OF MONITORING SAME - A system for monitoring operation of an electric vehicle charging station is provided. The system includes a battery charger configured to couple to a device for supplying current to the device, a current sensor coupled to the battery charger for measuring current supplied from the battery charger to the device, the current sensor configured to generate a measured current profile based on the measured current supplied to the device, and a processor coupled to the current sensor. The processor is configured to receive the measured current profile transmitted from the current sensor, and compare the measured current profile to at least one known current profile to monitor operation of the charging station. | 11-01-2012 |
20120280829 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING UTILITY METER COMMUNICATION - Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating utility meter communication are provided. One or more communications to be transmitted by a utility meter may be identified by the utility meter. A cost associated with the transmission of the one or more communications may be determined by the utility meter, and a determination may be made as to whether the cost satisfies one or more cost parameters if it is determined that the cost satisfies the one or more cost parameters, the one or more communications may be transmitted by the utility meter. If however, it is determined that the cost does not satisfy the one or more cost parameters, the one or more communications may be stored by the utility meter for subsequent transmission. | 11-08-2012 |
20120290473 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING TRANSACTION DATA - A system for use in managing charge station transaction data is provided. The system includes at least one charging station and a billing server coupled in communication with the at least one charging station. The billing server is configured to receive transaction data from the at least one charging station, consolidate the transaction data, and transmit the consolidated transaction data to an electronic payment processor. | 11-15-2012 |
20120294158 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK INTRUSION DETECTION BASED ON MONITORING NETWORK TRAFFIC - Systems, methods, and apparatus for network intrusion detection are provided. A device may include at least one memory and at least one processor. The at least one memory may be configured to store computer-executable instructions that facilitate traffic inspection of communications received by the device. The at least one processor may be configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to (i) identify one or more network traffic parameters associated with a network traffic profile for the device; (ii) evaluate, based at least in part upon the one or more network traffic parameters, at least one communication received by the device; and (iii) determine, based at least in part upon the evaluation, whether the at least one communication satisfies the traffic profile. | 11-22-2012 |
20120297481 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK INTRUSION DETECTION - Systems, methods, and apparatus for network intrusion detection are provided. A device configured to facilitate intrusion detection may include at least one memory and at least one processor. The at least one memory may be configured to store an application that facilitates inspection of communications received by or transmitted by the device. The at least one processor may be configured to access the at least one memory and execute the application to (i) identify a device type associated with the device; (ii) determine, based at least in part upon the identified device type, a list of acceptable content; (iii) analyze, based at least in part upon the determined list, the content of a communication associated with the device; and (iv) determine, based at least in part upon the analysis, whether the content is acceptable content. | 11-22-2012 |
20120297482 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK INTRUSION DETECTION - Systems, methods, and apparatus for network intrusion detection are provided. A device configured to facilitate network intrusion detection may include at least one memory and at least one processor. The at least one memory may be configured to store computer-executable instructions. The at least one processor may be configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to (i) identify a communication, the communication comprising one of (a) a communication received by the device or (b) a communication generated by the device; (ii) identify a type associated with the communication; (iii) determine, based at least in part upon the identified type, a list of acceptable content for the communication; (iv) analyze, based at least in part upon the determined list, the content of the communication; and (v) determine, based at least in part upon the analysis, whether the content is acceptable content. | 11-22-2012 |
20120297483 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK INTRUSION DETECTION BASED ON MONITORING NETWORK TRAFFIC - Systems, methods, and apparatus for network intrusion detection are provided. A device may include at least one memory and at least one processor. The at least one memory may be configured to store computer-executable instructions that facilitate traffic inspection of communications received by the device. The at least one processor may be configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to (i) identify a communications interface associated with at least one received communication; (ii) determine one or more network traffic parameters associated with a network traffic profile for the communications interface; (iii) evaluate, based at least in part upon the one or more network traffic parameters, the at least one communication received by the device; and (iv) determine, based at least in part upon the evaluation, whether the at least one communication satisfies the traffic profile. | 11-22-2012 |
20120307708 | REPEATER PASS-THROUGH MESSAGING - Embodiments of this invention include a network communications stack for a system for communicating data over a network. A media access control (MAC) layer running on a radio processor of the communications stack at least partially processes messages received from a network, i.e., before the message is passed to a host processor. Specifically, the MAC layer includes software configured to analyze a destination address contained in the message, and determine whether the destination address contained in the message matches a destination address programmed in the MAC layer. | 12-06-2012 |
20120319865 | ASSIGNING TOWER MULTICAST ADDRESS TO ELECTRONIC UTILITY METERS - A system including a computer device configured to associate a tower multicast address with a first radio frequency (RF) tower; and assign the tower multicast address to each of a plurality of electronic utility meters communicating through the first RF tower. | 12-20-2012 |
20130002449 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR UTILITY METER CONFIGURATION - Systems, methods, and apparatus for configuring utility meters are provided. A utility meter may receive, via one or more networks, a command for accessing a configuration table associated with the utility meter. The command may be formatted in accordance with an Internet-based protocol. The utility meter may process the received command in order to access the configuration table, and the configuration table may be in conformance with an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C12.19 standard. | 01-03-2013 |
20130009787 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE IN COMMUNICATING WITH UTILITY DEVICES - Systems and methods for use in communicating with utility devices. A utility meter receives one or more messages from one or more utility devices. Each message corresponds to a communication protocol of a plurality of communication protocols. The utility meter selects a communication protocol based on at least one message of the received messages. The utility meter communicates with at least a portion of the utility devices using the selected communication protocol. | 01-10-2013 |
20130013731 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR TRANSMITTING A MESSAGE - A device for use in transmitting a message includes a memory device including an application layer that includes a constrained application protocol and a processor coupled to the memory device. The processor is programmed to identify a message to be transmitted through a data link to at least one other device within a network, determine a quality of the data link, and determine a segment size based on the data link quality. The processor is also programmed to execute instructions within the application layer to form at least one message segment from the message such that a size of the at least one message segment is equal to the segment size. The device also includes a communication device configured to transmit the at least one message segment to the at least one other device. | 01-10-2013 |
20130036251 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF A TIMER BASED BUFFER USED FOR METROLOGY - Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems of using a timer based memory buffer for metrology. One embodiment of the method comprises receiving metrology data from one or more metrology sensors; writing at least part of the metrology data to a volatile memory; incrementing a write pointer to indicate the metrology data contained within the volatile memory; and repeating the above until a timer expires, then reading at least a portion of the metrology data from the volatile memory. | 02-07-2013 |
20130046414 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF DEMAND CONTROL BASED ON POWER FACTOR - Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems of demand control based on power factor. One embodiment of the method comprises receiving power factor information associated with a location in an electrical system and detecting a change in the power factor information associated with the location in the electrical system over time. The method further comprises sending a signal to one or more electrical apparatus in response to the change in the power factor information. The signal causes a change in the operational characteristics of at least one of the one or more electrical apparatus where the change in operational characteristics of the at least one of the one or more electrical apparatus affects the power factor information associated with the location in the electrical system. | 02-21-2013 |
20130046494 | METER HAVING A FIBER OPTIC INTERFACE - Described herein are embodiments of meters, systems and methods of a meter having a fiber optic interface. One embodiment of the meter comprises one or more metrology sensors; a non-isolated power supply; a processor; and a network interface having a section of fiber optic cable, wherein the processor is operably connected to the one or more metrology sensors and the network interface having a section of fiber optic cable, wherein the non-isolated power supply provides any power used by the processor, the one or more metrology sensors, and the network interface, and wherein the section of fiber optic cable is used to connect the meter to a network. | 02-21-2013 |
20130093601 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND DEVICE OF MULTICAST FUNCTIONALITY IN AN ENERGY PORTAL - Described herein are embodiments of methods, systems and devices of providing multicast functionality through an energy portal such as a meter, which reduces bandwidth required for communication between the energy portal and a server. In accordance with one aspect, a method is provided of providing multicast functionality through an energy portal, which reduces bandwidth required for communication between the energy portal and a server. In one embodiment, the method includes: receiving, over a first network, a single message, wherein the single message includes at least one device characteristic; determining, using a processor, one or more devices associated with the at least one device characteristic, wherein each of the one or more devices are connected to a second network; and transmitting the single message over the second network to each of the one or more devices associated with the at least one device characteristic, wherein the single message is transmitted individually to each of the one or more devices associated with the at least one device characteristic such that the single message is transmitted as many times as there are devices associated with the at least one device characteristic. | 04-18-2013 |
20130095769 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ANTENNA DIVERSITY IN A HOME AREA NETWORK - A system, in one embodiment, includes an energy services interface having first and second antennas configured to communicate with a home area network (HAN) to receive information related to energy, communication circuitry configured to communicate data using the first and second antennas, and control logic configured to assign the first HAN device to either the first or second antenna as a first assigned antenna based at least partially upon which of the first or second antennas receives a stronger signal when communicating with first HAN device. In addition, the energy services interface is configured to communicate with the first HAN device via the first assigned antenna based on an antenna diversity schedule. | 04-18-2013 |
20130121384 | UTILITY POWERED COMMUNICATIONS GATEWAY - Described herein are embodiments of methods, systems and devices of providing a communications gateway between one or more first networks and a second network. In accordance with one aspect, a method is provided comprising receiving, by a first device, information communicated from one or more first networks, wherein the first device is a low power device; and transmitting, by a second device, at least part of the information over a second network, wherein the second device is a high power device and wherein the first device and the second device receive power from a wired communications system. | 05-16-2013 |
20130178995 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Determining Energy Savings - A system, method and apparatus for receiving a load control notification, modifying power supplied to a load, and determining an energy savings based on the modification. | 07-11-2013 |
20130201839 | SEGMENT SIZE DETERMINATION - A method is provided that includes determining, via data processing circuitry, error rate metrics of data transmissions over a constrained application protocol (CoAP) using a first CoAP segment size. The method further includes determining, via the data processing circuitry, a second CoAP segment size for the data transmissions based at least in part upon the error rate metrics. | 08-08-2013 |
20130201985 | METERS WITH MULTIPLE NETWORK INTERFACES - An energy meter system includes an energy meter with metering circuitry that is enabled to collect metrology data relating to energy usage. Communications circuitry in the energy meter is configured to selectively communicate the metrology data to a head end server over an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network and a home area network (HAN). | 08-08-2013 |
20140208137 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMIC LOAD REDUCTION CONTROL MESSAGING - Systems and methods for dynamic load reduction control messaging. In one embodiment, a system can include at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions; and at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions can be operable to receive, by the at least one processor, a multicast load control instruction for a demand response device; generate, based at least in part on the multicast load control instruction, at least one unicast load control instruction; and transmit, by a transmission device coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one unicast load control instruction to a home area network (HAN) device. | 07-24-2014 |