Landis+gyr Innovations, Inc.

Landis+gyr Technology, Inc.

James Randall Turner

Ruben E Salazar Cardozo

Keith Mario Torpy

David Decker

Matt Karlgaard

Matthew Donald Karlgaard

Ruben Salazar

Anish Joshi

Technologies for implementing edge intelligence for utility communication networks are provided. For example, a system includes a mesh network and a utility fog configured to manage the mesh network. The utility fog includes a secure utility system configured for executing a private utility application and a first edge intelligence device configured for executing a first subset of software applications. Each software application is configured to manage endpoints in the mesh network or process data collected by the mesh network. The mesh network includes the endpoints and an edge intelligence device configured for executing a second subset of the software applications that is different from the first subset of software applications.

Dynamic processing distribution for utility communication networks

Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting node outages in a mesh network. A tracking node in the mesh network detects a set of signals originating from a tracked node in the mesh network. The set of signals includes beacons or communication messages transmitted by the tracked node. The tracking node determines that a threshold number of the beacon intervals have passed since receiving the most recent signal from the tracked node. The tracking node performs outage validation based on data received from another node in the mesh network and updates the status of the tracked node. Based on the updated status, the tracking node outputs a ping to the tracked node requesting a response to the ping. When the response to the ping is not received from the tracked node, the tracking node transmits an outage alarm message to a next topologically higher layer of the mesh network.

Managing outage detections and reporting

Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting node outages in a mesh network. A tracking node in the mesh network detects a set of signals originating from a tracked node in the mesh network. The set of signals includes beacons and communication messages transmitted by the tracked node. The tracking node determines that a threshold number of the alive beacon intervals have passed since receiving a most recent signal from the tracked node. The tracking node then outputs a ping to the tracked node requesting a response to the ping. When the response to the ping is not received from the tracked node, the tracking node transmits an outage alarm message to a next topologically higher layer of the mesh network, the outage alarm message comprising an identification of the tracked node.

Detecting an outage by a first node in layer N of a multi-layer mesh network that is in communication with a root node via the mesh network. After waiting for a sustained outage period that expires, the first node waits for a layer-specific time interval that is based on a topology of the second layer. The first node receives a last gasp from a second node in layer N+1 of the multi-layer mesh network. The last gasp includes an identifier for the second node and an indication of layer N+1. After the layer-specific time interval expires, the first node transmits a consolidated last gasp that includes an identifier for the first node, an indication of layer N, the identifier for the second node, and the indication of layer N+1.

Managing outage reporting using last gasps

A utility meter has a multiprocessor architecture including (i) a microprocessing unit (MPU) for executing multiple software applications and (ii) another processing unit for performing core metrology functions in real time. For instance, the utility meter includes a metrology engine, an MPU, and one or more metrology applications. The metrology engine measures consumption of a resource and generates consumption data based on the consumption of the resource. The metrology engine includes a metrology processor, a dedicated memory, and a real-time operating system run by the metrology processor to enable the metrology engine to run time-critical metrology functions in real time. The MPU is coupled to the metrology processor and includes one or more processor cores. The MPU runs the one or more metrology applications over a primary operating system of the MPU, and the one or more metrology applications utilize the consumption data.

Multiprocessor utility meter featuring a metrology processor coupled to an application processor

A method for responding to a voice activated request includes receiving a speech input request from a smart speaker requesting energy management data associated with energy consumption at a premises of the smart speaker. The method also includes generating a voice service request including a first query for a first data source. The first query includes a request for the energy management data. Additionally, the method includes communicating the first query to the first data source and receiving a first response to the first query from the first data source. Further, the method includes generating an audible speech output in response to the speech input request based on the first response to the first query and transmitting the audible speech output to the smart speaker. The smart speaker audibly transmits the audible speech output.

Voice-activated energy management system

Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting and reporting node power outages in a connected network. A node in the network detects that a power outage has occurred at the node and the node generates a last gasp packet using a packet format containing fewer data units than a regular packet format used by the network for communication. The node broadcasts the last gasp packet to its neighboring nodes. After receiving the last gasp packet, a neighboring node estimates the time of the power outage and converts the last gasp packet into an outage alarm message using the regular packet format. The neighboring node transmits the outage alarm message to a headend system to report the power outage at the node.

Power outage detection and reporting

A method described herein is performed by a utility meter lacking an integrated display. The method includes measuring consumption of a resource and, further, generating consumption data based on measuring the consumption of the resource. Via a communication device, the utility meter wirelessly connects directly to an external device having a display. The utility meter verifies that the external device is authorized to access the utility meter. The utility meter transmits the consumption data to the external device to utilize the display of the external device as an interface to the utility meter. The utility meter receives an instruction via manual entry at the display of the external device, and the utility meter executes the instruction.

Utility meter supporting a remote display

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing scheduled communication between a primary network, such as a time synchronized channel hopping ('TSCH') network, and a secondary network, such as a carrier sense multiple access ('CSMA') network. During a first selected slot-offset in a TSCH hopping pattern, a gateway node communicates with a primary network node. During a second selected slot-offset in the TSCH hopping pattern, the gateway node communicates with a secondary network node. A communication schedule identifies the source and destination nodes and channel frequency for each slot-offset. The communication schedule is set such that the CSMA wake-up period for the secondary network is synchronized with the second slot-offset in the TSCH hopping pattern.

Scheduled communication with resource providers and a home area network

A service node performs computational tasks or other operations on behalf of a meter or other network device. A meter may collect data regarding electric parameters associated with an electric distribution network. When analysis of the collected data is required, the meter may determine that it requires the resources of a service node. The meter may send a request to a directory node to identify a service node or it may send a request seeking a service node. The service node performs the analysis and sends the results of the analysis back to the meter. The service nodes supports the dynamic distributed processing of analytic services.

Growing community of inventors

Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

James Randall Turner