Landis+gyr Technologies, LLC

John F Duff

Rolf Flen

Scott H Christiansen

Roland Johnson

Verne Olson

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward the use of broadcast transmissions to multiple endpoint devices. These broadcast transmissions can be particularly useful for reducing the communication bandwidth used during transmission of configuration data to the endpoint devices. In order to implement the broadcast communications, the present disclosure describes a mechanism for configuring targeted endpoint devices to be responsive to the broadcast communications. For instance, a configuration command can be sent to each of the targeted endpoint devices. The configuration command can include a virtual ID. The targeted endpoint devices can configure themselves to listen for subsequent broadcast messages addressed to the virtual ID. Configuration data can then be sent using the virtual ID and associated broadcast messages.

Configuration over power distribution lines

Various aspects of the instant disclosure are directed towards a method for communicating time-based data in a power line communication system. In accordance with one or more example embodiments, firmware is downloaded to a multitude of endpoints over power distribution lines carrying alternating current (AC) power. Endpoint devices targeted for changes to stored firmware are grouped and the firmware is delivered in chunks to each group. As devices receive a particular chunk of firmware, the device advances to a next stage and provides information indicative of this stage, based upon which subsequent chunks of firmware are communicated. This occurs (e.g., on a daily cycle) until the endpoint has received all firmware for an update, after which the endpoint(s) are re-started using the firmware. Accordingly, such updates can be carried out in a cyclic and verifiable manner.

Power line network apparatus, system and method

One or more embodiments provide a method for assigning communication channels to endpoint devices. Transmission quality data is collected at one or more collectors for a plurality of sub-channels. The transmission quality data is transmitted from the collectors to a command center. At the command center, unused ones of the plurality of sub-channels are organized into communication channels based on the transmission quality data. Each communication channel has the same number of contiguous sub-channels that includes at least two sub-channels. One or more endpoint devices are assigned a respective one of the communications channels. A channel reconfiguration command is transmitted to at least one of the one or more collectors. In response to the reconfiguration command, collector(s) transmit data over the power distribution lines to configure at least one of the one or more endpoint devices to use the respective assigned communication channel.

Channel allocation and device configuration

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a data retrieving engine that is designed to retrieve interval data from the endpoint devices that is communicated for indicating utility usage readings. The interval data is provided at least once for each interval period (used by each of the endpoint devices). The data retrieving engine is additionally designed for retrieving, from the endpoint devices, other different type of data, which is transmitted over a time period that overlaps multiple interval periods. In certain implementations, the system allows a dynamic adjustment to a ratio of the respective amounts for each type of data.

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Breezy Point, MN, United States of America

John F Duff